A mass extinction, writes Annalee Newitz on the science-fiction/science blog io9, occurs when more than 75% of all species on the planet die in under 2 million years. So far, there’ve been five mass extinctions on Earth over 540 million years, and many scientists believe we are on the cusp of a sixth—certainly there are enough apocalyptic signs (climate change, pandemics, catastrophic volcanoes, oh my!). But don’t give up hope, says Newitz, author of Scatter, Adapt, and Remember; we humans have a long history of dodging the extinction bullet. And by revealing the keys to our long-term survival, Newitz suggests practical ways to keep dodging—and to live to build a better world.
Thanks to Seattle Town Hall and University Book Store
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